Drug Take Back Day

IRON MOUNTAIN – The Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post is again partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other law enforcement agencies for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

This is to provide a venue for residents to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

The Iron Mountain Post, 1916 N. Stephenson Ave., will participate in the one-day Take Back effort between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday by serving as a drop-off point for citizens to discard expired, unused and unwanted medications for destruction.

The MSP advised no liquids, inhalers, patches, or syringes will be accepted. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

“It is important for residents to know there is a safe and confidential way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs,” said F/Lt. Christine Grabowski, post commander. “Take Back Day allows them to do this and helps prevent the potential hazards of the misuse of these drugs.” Citizen response to this program has been favorable, with many citizens utilizing this service.

Grabowski added that those utilizing the service dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs and are able to keep their containers. The disposal is confidential.

In Wisconsin, residents can deposit drugs at the Forest County Sheriff’s Department lobby at 100 S. Park St. in Crandon. There are no drop-off sites in Florence or Marinette counties.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult around-the-clock for one month.

Often, some of these medicines languish in the home and are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high – more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and inhalants combined, according to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Studies show that the majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs obtain them from family and friends for free, including from the home medicine cabinet.